8.3.11

Chumley's Has Been Closed For Almost Four Years?!

I walked up Bedford Street this weekend, and when I reached Barrow, things have looked the same as they have for years now--seemingly no progress on the Chumley's restoration. Is there any hope of a Chumley's return? Does anyone know what's going on?!

I'm thinking it doesn't look so good...

On April 5, 2007, a chimney collapse (due to some construction work) closed the historic establishment (and probably really upset the suddenly-homeless upstairs neighbors, as most of the building had to be dismantled). Since then, other then a few "It's going to reopen soon!" moments that ultimately led to nothing, there has been very little word about the former speakeasy's future. At this point--and after this much construction/filled dumpsters--I kind of wonder if anything resembling its old wonderfulness will ever return?

For those of you who never had the pleasure, Chumley's was the now-famous speakeasy on the corner of Bedford and Barrow. At one time popular among the literary and political set, it was more recently crowded with tourists and NYU students, but charming nonetheless. It still sported its emergency bookcase exit, and when you took first-timers through its secret Barrow Street door, the experience was all the more wonderful.